Bonnie Miller Rubin
Tribune reporter
1:42 p.m. CDT, July 11, 2014

Many people think of the Midwest as buttoned-down and uptight. Not so, says the producer of Exxxotica, billed as the “largest event dedicated to love and sex,” and which opens today in Rosemont.

“It’s one of our strongest markets,” said Dan Adams, spokesman of the expo, now in its fourth year and growing steadily, with 18,000 attendees, ranging from tradesmen and mechanics to doctors and lawyers.

“The adult industry is no longer just for behind closed doors....it’s definitely moved into the mainstream,” Adams added.

The three-day expo features a chance to meet some of the biggest names in the adult film world, such as Tera Patrick, Ron Jeremy and Belle Knox, the Duke University co-ed turned porn star, who turned to the industry to help finance her $60,000 a year education.

At Exxxotica, Knox will be doing some teaching of her own, with a question-and-answer session. Other educational offerings -- at least the ones we can mention in the Tribune -- include “Breaking into the Biz: A How-To Guide to Getting into the Adult Industry,” “Fifty Shades of Kink” and “Webcamming for Fun and Profit.”

The show floor also features 100 exhibitors showcasing their latest products, “from the wild to the mild,” according to a press release. Some of the more benign vendors are hawking phone accessories and insurance.

Women are not an overlooked demographic, either. “Ladies Free Friday” promises “two of the regions top male dance troupes” – Stallion Male Revue and Dreamboys Chicago -- on the main stage.

The event – promoted by some 20 billboards across the metro area – draws better in Rosemont than some other more likely locales, such as Miami’s South Beach or Los Angeles, Adams said.

“It’s just a fun, upscale experience...There’s no live nudity. It’s not a swingers’ convention or a peep show. It’s like going to a comic book expo and getting to meet the artists.”

Exxxotica runs through Sunday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Attendees must be over 18. For more information, go the exxxoticaexpo.com.

brubin@tribune.com

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

A buddy of mine was a vendor at that thing. He said it was pretty fun and a little crazy at times...

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"I'm not smiling because I thought what you said was humorous. I'm smiling because one day I know you'll be dead..."

Ive found a good way to divide age groups is by if they say "porn" or "porno"

The former is people born 1975 or later.

What if they refer to this cinematic genre as "art films?"

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I wanted to go, hoping to find some freaky chicks. With my luck, they'd only be interested in each other and not me.

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You might be on to something. I was born in 1976, and I say porn.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Im definitely onto something

You'll start to notice it now too.

The cut off might be a smidge earlier. Like 73. But its there.

I'd go if Tori Black will be there.

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-- source

Then they probably spend a lot of time in Wrigleyville during the off-season.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

You realize you like to make films, right?

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

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-- source

How did Greg find that?

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

http://www.hi5.com/redskingreg

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-- source

Being born in 74 I guess I can call it both, even though I'm in the porn camp. To think my dad still had porn reels when I was a kid and now it's all online, what a world.

she's a go-to for me.

if you go you'll have a hard time trying to get in

I call it erotica

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

is it the same for carbs vs. carbos? I called it carbos the other day and my wife made fun of me.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Pizza vs za'

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This is not cool. I'm going to need to sign up and create a "Real Spmack" login and request one of the verified check marks and 1000 club badge under my name.

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He's a die Sox white fan too.

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-- source

Yeah me and this impostor Spmack could not be more different.....he's Catholic, like U2, Greatful (I thought it was Grateful?) Dead, and is usually on time.....I am none of those things.

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That has to be some fake, general guy southside irish type of resume

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.